Lip-ripper Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 A buddy and I headed out to one of my favorite little places on earth for a day of grouse hunting and speckled trout fishing. Fall is my favorite time to target specks and with the lake being in a grouse habitat, the 2 go hand in hand. I hadn't been back there for quite some time and it was an evening of anticipation the night before. Armed with guns, rods, the canoe and a cooler of snacks we headed off around 7:30 am. We decided on doing a little hunt prior to fishing, as morning is usually the better time for birds. By 9 we were well into hunting but had nothing to show for our efforts other than a couple birds that flushed into the still thick, colorful northern foliage. A couple kilometers later, and around a sharp corner of the trail, 3 grouse pop out in front of us. Then another, and another. Armageddon ensues and at the end of the mayhem, 3 Grouse are down with 2 escapees. We continued further but ran into nothing more and the trail ended. On our way back, exactly where the first three were shot, we ran into another 4! With the bush in this area being so thick, it's so easy to miss seeing birds. We ended up harvesting another 3 and decided to head for the lake. The little lake that I love so much and hadn't seen in what seemed like so long was reached after a short drive. We carried the canoe down to the water, hopped in and set out to try for some delicious little specks. I didn't even have my first lure choice tied on when my partner cries out "fish on". First cast, using a spinner with no bait he lands a sweet little 10 incher. With the regs stating that only one >12 inches can be kept, we each planned on keeping a feed of little ones, then targeting our one bigger one later. I have never seen the fishing better than I did on Saturday. Not sure if it was the temperature, moonphase, overcast weather, or perfect alignment of all of them, but it was truly unreal. Every lure we tried caught fish. Every colour caught fish. It didn't matter if there was bait on it or not. We would get hits on nearly every cast, and follow-ups everytime of usually 2-3 fish at a time. Sometimes even getting fish jumping out of the water at our offerings as we lifted them out to reload and cast again. After a few hours of this, we happily had our fill. We both ended up keeping our five, however aside from a few swipes by some of the larger fish and a few long range sightings, nothing of any bigger sizes were caught. Personally, I don't think the hungry little ones gave them a chance! The fish we did keep were all around that 10-11 inch mark, and had beauty colourings. One more Grouse was harvested on the drive out, a single that was huddled by the side of the road. We were also checked by the MNR as well. He checked our guns (to see if they were loaded), our licenses, and our bounty from the day. Very nice guy that took down some info, chatted with us then headed off to check more sportsmen. All in all a great little Saturday in a little piece of heaven... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrison Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Beauty day! Side question: Did the MNR ask for your PAL or who owned the firearms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustic-Fisher Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Good ole "blast and cast"trip ! Love it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip-ripper Posted October 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Beauty day! Side question: Did the MNR ask for your PAL or who owned the firearms? Nope, just hunting and fishing license, and ID. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twocoda Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Nice shooting Trouty...good eats for you boys... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harrison Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Nope, just hunting and fishing license, and ID. Thank you sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Great report! That's gunna make one heck of a good tasting meal!! Two of my favourite table fair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerGuy Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 good eats right there! NICE! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 It doesn't get any better than that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopheraaron Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Very nice boys! I don't hunt but if I did it would definitely be for grouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishnsled Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Surf and turf! Very nice day for you and your bud. Thanks for the report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Dem birds get stupid ,the further north ya go .LOL Nice combo there bud. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joeytier Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Absolutely perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kickingfrog Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 That is a great day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rod Caster Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 That is what fall is all about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJL Posted October 1, 2012 Report Share Posted October 1, 2012 Great report! I'm wondering if I should start wearing blaze orange when I'm out on the rivers in the fall.LOL I've never tried grouse but they do look tasty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirogak Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Nice report bud - like MJL, I too, never had grouse but dem sure do luk tasteeee ... but I can only imagine the excitement of brookie fishing.... good on ya' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosebunk Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I'll chew on them specks, you can eat the grouse. Deal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fish_fishburn Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 What are ya gonna do with the spruce hens? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip-ripper Posted October 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I usually do one of 3 things... -sliced, battered and fried -breasted, wrapped in bacon and baked -jerky (really good!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopheraaron Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I usually do one of 3 things... -sliced, battered and fried -breasted, wrapped in bacon and baked -jerky (really good!) You have 6, two of each! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pics Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 I love grouse but usually pass on the spruce...don't love the darker meat(taste and texture)..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucG Posted October 2, 2012 Report Share Posted October 2, 2012 Great report and nice shooting! Thats one nice tasty meal! Nice guns too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tootsie II Posted October 3, 2012 Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Unfortunately, like other posters, I would pass on the "Spruce" grouse as we not-so-affectionately knew them when I was growing up in Timmins. Mum would always have to soak the heck out of them in salt water prior to cooking them. Thankfully, Dad liked them and they never went to waste. Dad's rule was "You shot it, you eat it!" Thankfully he saved my and my brother's butts many a time on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lip-ripper Posted October 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 They aren't for everyone, but cooked properly they are actually quite good and in jerky form they would really surprise you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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